Sunday, June 17, 2012

Heroes

Last Friday, while I was getting ready for the day, a very dark feeling suddenly came over me. I felt very vulnerable, and I wasn't sure why. I offered a brief, heartfelt prayer, asking that God would protect me and my family, and the feeling went away.

That evening, as my wife and I were getting ready to go on a date, a man was shot on the street in front of our house. My wife called 911, and I administered first aid until the paramedics arrived.

Since then, I've had a few neighbors say, "So, I hear you're the hero." That seems weird to me. I didn't do anything brave. If I had seen any reason to believe the situation was dangerous, I don't think I would have rushed outside. So I've been thinking a lot about what it means to be a hero. This Father's Day, I'd like to take a moment to publicly thank some of the real heroes in my life.

Dad: thanks for being such a great dad. I know I can always look to you for an example of what a man ought to be.

I'm thankful to all the fathers who teach their boys that real men don't use violence to deal with anger. Thanks to them, most people can expect to live their whole life through without having to see a bullet wound in person.

I'm thankful to the men that willingly gave their time to be my scout leaders. They helped me to be prepared to face a medical emergency calmly and correctly.

I'm thankful to the men that act as role models for other people's children. It takes a whole village to raise a child.

I'm thankful to my step-dad. I value many of the lessons he taught me.

I'm thankful to my father-in-law, for raising a daughter that somehow always knows how to bring out the best in me. I'm thankful that he was willing to entrust her to me.

I'm thankful to the men who would be fathers, but haven't been given that blessing yet. Live your life like a righteous father should, and I believe you will be blessed with the children you long for: if not in this life, then in the next.

I'm thankful to the men who find themselves to be fathers unexpectedly, and who are man enough to step up to the plate and be a real dad for their children.

I'm thankful to the men who, when they realize they cannot offer their child the love they deserve, are man enough to let them be adopted by someone who can.

I'm thankful to the police officers, paramedics, and all the public servants who so often give up their weekends, and sometimes even their lives, so that the rest of us can live be safe and healthy.

I'm thankful to the men serving in the armed forces. They are willing to take a bullet to protect us and our freedoms.

Finally, I am thankful to my Heavenly Father, for answering my prayers and keeping my family safe when danger passed so near to us.

If being a hero means that your efforts save lives, then these men are the real heroes in my life. God bless you all.